Romania Evaluates Spike LR Missiles in Dismounted Configuration

10 Spike-LR missiles were fired during the Romanian qualification testing for the man portable configuration of the weapon, all scored target hits. Photo: RAFAEL

Integrated Control Launch Unit (ICLU), which is the new modern digital launcher for SPIKE missiles. This unit enables target acquisition at longer range and integration of the missiles into a tactical network. Photo: Rafael

The Romanian Army has completed testing of SPIKE LR (Long Range) missiles as part of the Romanian Army evaluation of man-portable Spike-LR in dismounted operations. The Romanian army is already using SPIKE family missiles on armored vehicles and helicopters, the new acquisition extends the use of the missile to dismounted operations. In the recent evaluations ten missiles were fired, nine by Romanian gunners that completed gunnery qualification process. The multi-purpose missile system was tested in different firing scenarios, including day and Infrared mode, fired against tanks and APC targets at different ranges. All ten missiles scored target hits.

The LR version is deployed as a vehicle-mounted armament, on a 30 mm RCWS on the BMP Platform, while SPIKE ER missiles are used with Puma (SOCAT) helicopters.

The new acquisition signed in 2015 with EuroSpike GmbH is for an infantry launcher configuration of the Integrated Control Launch Unit (ICLU), which is the new modern digital launcher for SPIKE missiles. This unit enables target acquisition at longer range and integration of the missiles into a tactical network. The acquisition of man-portable SPIKE-LR systems will run through 2019 to equip the infantry, reconnaissance, mountain troop brigades and artillery regiments of the Romanian Land Forces.

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